Best Selling Books by Pat McKissack

Simple text and illustrations of a variety of insects introduce the numbers one through five.

Examines the civilizations of the Western Sudan which flourished from 700 to 1700 A.D., acquiring such vast wealth that they became centers of trade and culture for a continent.

From the beginning of Reconstruction to the present, traces the struggle of blacks to gain their civil rights in America, with a brief comparison of their problems to those of other minorities.

"Tell the truth and shame the devil," Libby''s mama has told her. So whatever is Libby doing wrong? Ever since she started telling only the truth, the whole world seems to be mad at her. First it''s her best friend, Ruthie Mae, who gets upset when Libby tells all their friends that Ruthie Mae has a hole in her sock. Then Willie gives her an ugly look when she tells the teacher he hasn''t done his homework. It seems that telling the truth isn''t always so simple. Children will sympathize with Libby as she struggles to figure out that even though it''s always wrong to tell a lie, there''s a right and a wrong way to tell the truth. Giselle Potter''s naively stubborn illustrations perfectly capture this humorous and poignant story by award-winning author Patricia C. McKissack.

Describes the life of the anti-slavery and women''s rights activist, from her beginnings in slavery to her tireless campaign for the rights and welfare of the freedmen.

Bessey finally cleans up her messy room.

Tippy Lemmey, the neighborhood dog, is a nuisance and sworn enemy to the local children, but when Tippy gets in trouble, only Leanne, Paul, and Jeannie can help him.

From the author of the Newbery Honor-winning "The Dark-Thirty" comes a deliciously funny, not-too-scary picture book featuring a spunky heroine and the Boo Hag, a crafty spirit that will stop at nothing to get inside the house. Full color.

Even though Bobby and Johnny are twins, they often like opposite things. Includes a word list.

A little African monkey runs away from all the dangerous animals except one.

With only five more days of school remaining before summer vacation, nine-year-old Miami still faces several hurdles, such as how to get along with Destinee Tate, his nemesis.

In 1886 in Alabama, an eleven-year-old African American girl and her family befriend and give refuge to a runaway Apache boy.

An easy-to-read retelling of the well-known fable about two mice and the discovery they make.

Profiles the life of Sarah Breedlove, also known as Madam C. J. Walker, the black laundress who founded a cosmetics company and became the first female self-made millionare in the United States.

The year is 1859, and it''s Christmastime on a Virginia Plantation. The slaves are cleaning and setting up the Big House--where their masters live--for the festivities. The Big House is filled with warmth, colorful decorations, and yummy food...but there is talk of war and a sense that times may be changing. In the quarters--where the slaves live--conditions are poor, dirty, and cold, but the slaves are filled with hope for better times ahead, and they sing songs of freedom.Moving deftly between two worlds, this beautifully illustrated book is a historical tale as well as a holiday treat.

In segregated 1950s Nashville, a young African American girl braves a series of indignities and obstacles to get to one of the few integrated places in town: the public library.

Discusses, in simple text and illustrations, the meaning of life and death and God''s promise of eternal life.

An important figure for children to know about, Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week, later expanded to Black History Month, and educated people about the accomplishments and achievements of African Americans. This book is excellent for report-writing and research as well.

Profiles the life of Mary Church Terrell, the civil rights pioneer.

This book provides a basic introduction to the life and writings of Zora Neale Hurston.

Profiles the life and teaching career of a great educator who opened a school for African American girls in 1904 that eventually became an accredited 4-year college.

The adventures of a kind-hearted doctor, who is fond of animals and understands their language, as he travels to Africa with some of his favorite pets to cure the monkeys of a terrible sickness.